Havana Club 7-Year

Rhum à Cocktails, mojito ou cuba libre iront bien.

I was expecting something better than this. This one hits and hits hard. A "tough-guy" rum. The Añejo Reserva is better than this. Frankly, it's not bad rum overall just not one that qualifies as a sipping rum unless you want to sandpaper the back of your throat. Works best in mixed drinks.

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UPDATE May 11, 2016: This was one of the first rums I reviewed after the "cruise from hell" in September, 2015. Since then I have edjamacated my palate a bit so to speak so I wanted to re-review this rum. I am glad I did. I initially gave it a "6" but I now believe a "7" would be more accurate.

In the snifter this rum is a rich amber lightening to a golden hue on the edges. It has good legs upon swirling. It does have a somewhat astringent aroma which does tingle the nose a bit. Upon initial tasting I do detect some initial molasses sweetness but that is quickly overwhelmed by a strong oak flavor that has a bit of bitterness to it along with a distinct pepperiness. There is a very noticeable burn that lasts....and I mean LASTS. This is not a rum for beginners and it really isn't as smooth as I would expect from a rum aged for 7 years. It has not been sugared so what you taste is all natural. The finish has an odd taste that I cannot identify but isn't pleasant. I do feel a 6 was a tad too low but frankly it's barely a 7. This is a rum that seems best suited for mixed drinks especially ones with pineapple. That bitterness and strange aftertaste actually works fairly decently with pineapple juice. Haven't tried it with grapefruit yet.

NOT a sipping rum. Definitely a workable mixer. A lot of potential that wasn't reached. Could be a much better rum. If things ever improve in Cuba there is the potential for this rum to improve as well.

Was greatly disappointed, tho perhaps I had a bad, or non-legitimate batch of Añejo 7 Años ('aged 7 years') in a Havana Club gift tin from the shop. Was not expecting a Ron Zacapa 23, but was hoping for something interesting in that general direction. This Havana Club's dark bottle yielded a rum light and golden in colour, with some initial pleasant rum flavours immediately overwhelmed by a fiery, burning after-taste. An ice cube took away the fire, but also left the rum without character, a simple sweet drink. Surprised since I enjoy Havana Club's Añejo Especial at one-third less, better both neat or with ice than this bottle I bought of Añejo 7. Ché Guevara would have asked, 'What's going on here?'

Smokey and smooth. I usually keep a bottle of this next to me on playstation gaming nights. Whenever in doubt this is a safe choice.

This has been one of my "always on the shelf" rums for years. It`s quite light but still does have enough flavor and it`s to me a mixing rum rather than sipping even though it sips well. I just like it in mixed drinks better.

Bruger kun min til cola.

Big fan of the 15yr for sipping means im more than happy to use the 7yr in cocktails. Lighter and smoother than expected with wood and vanilla on the nose i find it great to use as your base in a Daiquiri.

Not often does a gentleman get to be surprised with the depth of complexity in a Rum that is this accessible. Truly a center-piece in the Affordable collection. Great for mixing, Duh. Great for sipping with some ice.

Interesting, possibly acquired taste, but one that most people know. Quite simply, it is what it is.

Thankfully we are free to cross that ocean and come back with up to bottle per person, per swim... suddenly swimming with the dolphins is all the rage :) Cuba, we love you. I really wish your maestro generales would spread the wealth of your incredible rum exports with your beautiful people...